Tag Archive: NJ Legislature

The “People’s State of the State” will be in Trenton Monday, January 14 at 11 am at the Statehouse Annex with advocates from across our state to elevate policies our communities are still waiting for in New Jersey. “We are calling…Read more

Governor Murphy yesterday said, “I’m not going to certify a budget based on gimmicks … When you build a financial house of cards year after year, and see it fall year after year, at some point you have to realize the…Read more

In one of several versions of a famous parable, “three blind men encounter an elephant for the first time and try to describe it, each touching a different part. “An elephant is like a snake,” says one, grasping the trunk….Read more

“Dawn is a feeling, a beautiful ceiling. You’re here today, no future fears. This day will last a thousand years. You look around you, things they astound you. So breathe in deep, you’re not asleep, open your mind.“ – Moody Blues: Days of Future Past…Read more

In the midst of blaring, daily headline news about the many dangerous deeds of Trump and Congress, lost are the consequences of the administration’s recent actions and threatened future actions regarding healthcare in New Jersey and the nation. Here there…Read more

I just want to give a shout-out and congratulations to NJ Spotlight, which just secured funding for something I think is going to be a cool tool. If you do a daily news roundup like we do here at Blue Jersey,…Read more

<<UPDATE 2:30 pm: N.J. Dems’ controversial redistricting plan ‘dead for today.’>> Pulling this back up top. Currently, neither the Senate nor Assembly sessions (which begin noon and 1pm respectively) are listed as scheduled to stream, but that may change as the time…Read more

Setting the Table: If a diverse set of advocacy groups all have their way, the November 2016 ballot will be as bountiful as a Thanksgiving table. There has been talk for months that anywhere from 2 to 6 ballot questions…Read more

Within the next few weeks, a vote is expected to come up on a bill that would give those of us who walk and bike around our communities more visibility in the state government. With bill S2521, the state Senate aims to create a Pedestrian Safety Study Commission whose job it will be to “study, examine, and review the issue of pedestrian safety in New Jersey.” It will create a commission whose members will range from members of the legislature to NJDOT officials to members of the public.

An Assembly budget bill A4326 just passed its committee on party lines (7 Dems: YES and 4 Rep’s: NO), which Christie would want to veto but which both Republican and Democratic legislators should support.

“It calls for more long-range forecasting, contingency planning, and a deeper analysis of what spending is necessary to keep up with state laws and to maintain current services. It would also create a three-person advisory panel that would put forward a revenue forecast each January in advance of the governor’s budget message in February.”

All of these measures strengthen the budgetary process and make it more transparent. In particular, the advisory panel, which would consist of the State Treasurer, the Legislative Budget and Finance Officer, and a third public member, would provide the governor and legislature with advisory consensus forecasts of State revenue, which the current governor has famously over-estimated in the past. The process proposed would provide needed assurance to credit agencies and New Jersey residents that there is more thoughtful budgetary planning.